- The Stakes: Control of Wisconsin’s Supreme Court, with implications for voting rights and future elections.
- The Player: Elon Musk, dropping serious cash to influence the election.
- The Outcome: Musk’s candidate loses, big time.
Elon Musk’s Wisconsin Woe: Did He Just Waste $21 Million?
The Wisconsin Supreme Court race was already a big deal, with control of the court hanging in the balance. But when Elon Musk decided to throw his weight (and a mountain of cash) behind conservative candidate Brad Schimel, things got wild. The final tally? Judge Susan Crawford, backed by the Democrats, won. And Musk? He’s probably wondering where all that money went.
Why Wisconsin Matters (And Why Musk Cares)
Wisconsin is a battleground state, plain and simple. Its Supreme Court can decide on critical issues like voting rights and how the state’s political districts are drawn. With the next midterm elections and the 2028 presidential contest on the horizon, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Musk himself called it a matter of the future of the world.
Musk’s Money Machine: How It All Went Down
Musk and his affiliated groups reportedly pumped at least $21 million into the race. According to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, America PAC, a super PAC backed by Musk, even spent big on door-to-door canvassers, a tactic similar to what they used in key swing states during the last presidential election. They even offered to pay voters to sign petitions against liberal judges, which is wild, but hey, that’s American Politics!
The Blowback: Even Republicans Took a Hit
Despite Musk’s massive spending, Schimel lost by a bigger margin than another Republican-backed candidate in the state. And get this: Crawford actually gained ground in areas where Musk’s group was actively campaigning. Ouch! It seems voters weren’t too thrilled about an outsider trying to buy their election.
Twitterverse Erupts: Musk Gets Roasted
Musk took to X (formerly Twitter) to complain about corruption of the judiciary. But the internet wasn’t having it. Critics piled on, with some suggesting Musk stick to building rockets and stay out of politics. Even Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, a billionaire himself, chimed in to celebrate Crawford’s victory.
The Bottom Line: Money Can’t Buy Everything (Especially in Wisconsin)
This Wisconsin court race proves that even a billionaire can’t always get his way. Voters saw through the out-of-state money and made their own choice. As one voter put it, they want an actual, respectable democracy, not one bought and paid for by Elon Musk.
What’s Next?
The results of this election could have significant implications for future elections in Wisconsin and beyond. Democrats are energized, while Republicans are licking their wounds and reassessing their strategy. As for Musk, it’s anyone’s guess what his next political move will be.
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